HomeLIFE STYLESCompetition By Cable Networks for Black Viewers Grows With Popularity of OWN

Competition By Cable Networks for Black Viewers Grows With Popularity of OWN

July 2, 2013

Competition by Cable Networks for Black Viewers Grows With Popularity of OWN

Cable viewing for the first week of June climbed significantly after the Memorial Day holiday, and competition for viewers’ attention was strong. Black households were locked in on new and old favorites: The NBA for the men, Disney for the kids and OWN’s new Tyler Perry offerings lured women.

The race for very tight for the title of most watched cable network in Black homes. TNT edged into first with 5.5 million tuning in two NBA games. VH1 was a close second with 5.4 million across three shows. Disney locked up 5.1 million for six programs.

The OWN Network claimed four spots on the Top 25, one week after its debut of Tyler Perry’s “Love Thy Neighbor” and “The Haves and The Have Nots.” Each show still attracted a million-plus viewers with back-to-back program blocks, with Wednesday being the most popular night.

The total number of viewers (age 2+) for the Top 25 shows, according to Nielsen, was up 57 percent from the previous holiday week to 28.1.